One of the most recognizable trucks on the road is a car hauler. Those big double-decker rigs, bringing shiny new cars to dealerships across the country. Easily recognizable, and something that might be an excellent, and lucrative choice for a job in trucking. If you are interested in a job delivering cars, here’s what it takes to be a car hauler truck driver. Basic QualificationsWhen looking for a new truck driver job, you usually need to start with the meeting the basic qualifications. And a car hauler must meet basic requirements to be considered for the job.
Over the Road ExperienceSo you’ve got your license, now you need some practice navigating over the road. Long hauls across the country, winding roads, crowded city streets – these are all things that you’ll need real world experience when you’re getting ready to deliver cars. Once you’ve been driving for a while, in most cases at least a year, often times at least 2, you might want to start looking at your opportunities for first car hauling job.
No matter what the time is, the goal is to get plenty of experience with driving safely, learning the ropes and keeping your record clean. Clean Driving RecordWith the value of the cargo for a car hauler, there’s a lot of risk that goes into this job. These drivers always have to be safe drivers. Frequently, these drivers are hauling a dozen or more brand-new sedans. Sometimes your haul might be someone’s private collection of extremely expensive antique cars. Other times, you’re hauling burned-out wrecks headed for scrapyards.
Additionally, these drivers are subject to all the standard drug testing rules, if not more, due to the high cost of the loads. Total Attention to DetailThis is a tough job. It requires total attention to detail at every step. As most car haulers are usually responsible for loading and unloading the cars, they not only have to transport them safely, they need to get them on and off the truck safely. This means 100% perfection in your routine while spacing the cars and strapping them down in place. No damage in transit or during delivery is paramount to your paycheck.
Car hauler jobs come in a few shapes and sizes. From the open-sided double-decker rigs carrying new cars to dealerships across the country, to enclosed trailers hauling one of a kind cars for a private collection, getting into hauling cars might be a great job for you. If this is the next job you’re looking for, complete a Drive My Way profile. We work hard to match you to the exact truck driving job that’s best for you. Find a CDL Driving JobWe match you with a job based on your personal preferences and qualifications. The post What Does It Take to Be a Car Hauler Truck Driver? appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/39Jh0Ct
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019 the median Heavy and Tractor-Trailer truck driver salary was $45,260 annually or $21.76 per hour. That said, your truck driver salary can be very different depending on your type of run, haul, and location among other things. For bigger companies, you may be able to look up their average salaries. Unfortunately, that’s less likely to be available for smaller companies. But, even without company-specific numbers, you can get a sense of how your salary stacks up. Read on to understand different types of income and whether your salary is competitive. Consider the FactorsType of HaulYou can’t compare your salary to the industry average without thinking about the type of haul. Typically, car transport drivers and heavy equipment transporters are some of the highest paid jobs. Hauling highly valuable goods tends to come with an increase in paycheck because these drivers need a high level of performance. On the other hand, straight truck local trucking often brings in one of the lowest salaries in the industry. This recreated chart from Trucker’s Training gives a few examples of salary across CDL A haul types. Remember, there are plenty of other factors on truck driver salary. So, even within a haul type, there can be a lot of variety in pay. Type of RunWhether you’re a “local runs only” driver or an “OTR for life” driver can make a big difference in pay. There will be variation in pay by company and other factors, but in general, OTR drivers have the highest salary potential. According to current Zip Recruiter data, OTR drivers in the United States average $63,888 annually. Regional drivers get the next highest paycheck and earn an average of $60,969. Finally, local drivers in the United States earn an average of $51,355 each year.
In addition, there’s a lot to consider beyond money. If you’re raising a family or want to have weekends off, Regional or local jobs might be a better fit for you. Type of run is also just one of many factors that will influence truck driver salary. Choose the run type that fits your lifestyle, and then consider how you can meet your salary needs. Factor in ExperienceAs with many jobs, seniority matters in many trucking companies. Based on 2020 data from Trucker’s Training, new drivers can expect to earn between 27 and 40 CPM after training. In general, that rate continues to increase with more time on the job. In other words, more experience brings a higher truck driver salary. That financial boost may come as a raise from your current company. Some employers reward drivers for loyalty. Experienced drivers also are often more competitive for higher paying jobs. Remember, building a strong reputation is part of having more experience. A potential employer may call your current or former boss. Having a good recommendation as a skilled, reliable driver is a huge benefit in a competitive hiring pool. Small Company vs. Large CompanyThe size of the company you work can have pros and cons. Pay tends to be a little lower in small companies, but they also offer a more personal environment. On the other hand, larger companies tend to pay more but may have a less family-like company culture. Think of the decision of company size as a sliding scale rather than black and white. You might have to make tradeoffs, but there is also plenty of middle ground. Look at Income Potential Rather than SalaryThe reality of a paycheck is that it adds up differently depending on where you live. $50,000 will feel like more money in Cleveland, OH than in Los Angeles, CA. When you look up the average salary for your type of driving, make sure you include location. You can look up average truck driver salary by state with this list from Seek Capital. Drivers in Los Angeles are likely to earn more annually than a Cleveland driver, but they will also spend more on daily expenses like a mortgage or rent and groceries.
Maybe surprisingly, these aren’t the states where truck drivers earn the highest gross salary. Instead, they are the states where truck drivers earn significantly more compared to the average salary from other jobs. How to Increase Your Salary PotentialIf you’re not happy with your current truck driver salary, there are a few ways you can increase your earning potential. Some of these opportunities may be at your current job, and others will take a little time and training. Remember, whenever you change CDL jobs, get as many compensation details as possible from your recruiter before you pursue the position. EndorsementsEarning additional endorsements is a great way to give your long term income potential a boost. Getting more endorsements such as a Tanker, HazMat, Doubles, or Triples will take time and money. Consider this an investment in your future. Maintaining current endorsements will qualify you for better jobs with higher salaries. Before you choose a program, consider what kind of jobs you want in the future. Then, pick a program that fits your financial needs and career goals. Overtime OpportunitiesIf you are working an hourly job, overtime opportunities can be a good way to increase your salary. This is more frequently an opportunity for local driving positions than other run types. That does mean that you may have less free time on your hands, but overtime opportunities often pay very well. Some companies offer more than their regular rate for overtime hours. As a result, a few extra hours of overtime work might be worth the increased paycheck. BonusesTrucking companies offer bonuses as an incentive for many things. Some are performance, safety, or mileage bonuses that come directly from your work. Others relate to the hiring process — referral bonuses, loyalty incentives, and sign-on bonuses. Some of these, like a loyalty bonus, are tied primarily to time and aren’t necessarily driven by driver performance. However, others you may be able to increase with a strong professional performance. In addition, keep in mind other quality drivers whenever your company is hiring. A new driver referral bonus can benefit your paycheck and build your reputation by making a good recommendation. The post How to Know if your Truck Driver Salary is Competitive appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/39Jh0Ct Today’s Job of the Day is from Royal 3 Inc.At Royal 3, our drivers are like family. Based in Chicago IL, we are a long-haul shipping solution specializing in full truckloads. At Royal 3, we ensure that orders get to their destination exactly when and how customers want it delivered to them. Come join us and start enjoying the benefits of being a team member today! Royal 3 Inc. is now hiring CDL A OTR Dry Van Drivers to join our team of drivers in Chicago, IL. Become a part of their driving family! Compensation and Benefits:
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Join the Royal 3 Inc. TeamRoyal 3 Inc. is now hiring CDL A OTR Dry Van Drivers to join our team in Chicago, IL. The post Job of the Day: Royal 3 Inc. appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/39Jh0Ct Do you know where you will be on Tuesday, November 3, 2020? That’s the date of this year’s Presidential Election. Some truckers know their schedules months in advance, but for many, it’s hard to plan ahead too far. Many long-haul truckers can safely bet that they won’t be home that Tuesday. And for the many things that professional truck drivers miss out on being away from home, you don’t have to miss out on voting! So for those truckers planning ahead, here’s some tips for how to vote as a truck driver over the road. Are You Registered to Vote?Every American citizen, 18 years or older, can vote in the United States. Patriotic truck drivers are no exception to that rule. But first you need to be registered before you submit your first ballot. If you’re not sure if you’re already registered, start here. You can check your registration status, find your local voting information, and get registered if needed. Whether you like all of the candidates or plan to vote for every issue on your local ballot, in order to even have the opportunity to cast a single vote, you must be registered first. Get an Absentee BallotOnce registered, there’s a few ways to cast a vote as a truck driver. Since there’s a good chance you won’t be home that day, you can request an absentee ballot. An absentee ballot allows a registered voter the ability to request a ballot in the mail to be submitted prior to the actual election day. This does take some effort ahead of the election to coordinate the steps you need to take. The absentee ballot process requires you to:
If you plan ahead and follow the steps, you can still exercise your right to vote, even if you’re away from home! Every state is a little bit different, so be sure you’re aware of all of the rules. Some states do all of their ballots by mail, so this can help a trucker get their vote counted. Vote EarlyIf the absentee ballot process is not going to work for you, there still might be another choice available. Many states offer their residents the ability to vote early in-person. Each of the states that allow early voting, have unique rules governing early voting. So if you live in a state that allows early voting, you might be able to coordinate your at home schedule to accommodate a trip to a local polling place when you’re at home. This way you can still vote as a truck driver, and make your voice heard. We know the life of an over the road driver can be challenging. But with these tips, you should be able to plan ahead and vote successfully. And no matter who you’re planning to vote for, get registered and vote this year. Every vote counts! STAY UPDATED ON INDUSTRY TRENDS AND BEST PRACTICESJoin our community of over 150,000 drivers who receive our updates. The post How to Vote as a Truck Driver Over the Road appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/39Jh0Ct Today’s Job of the Day is from Carmen Pacheco TransportationEstablished in 2007, Carmen Pacheco Transportation, LLC (CPT) started in El Paso, Texas, with a small fleet of trucks and a vision. That vision was simply to become a dependable, efficient full-truck load service within the transportation industry to/from El Paso, Texas. We have exceeded expectations and now provide FTL services with over 35 tractor units and 75 trailers. We are looking to expand our team! Come apply and join our family atmosphere today. Carmen Pacheco Transportation is hiring OTR Company Drivers in El Paso, TX.Compensation & Benefits:
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Join the Team!Carmen Pacheco Transportation is now hiring Class A Company Drivers to join our fleet of trucks in El Paso, TX. Become part of the team! The post Job of the Day: Carmen Pacheco Transportation appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/39Jh0Ct So you’re looking at local truck driving jobs? Great choice. Local trucking is a good fit for many drivers. Remember, as with any job, there are pros and cons to local trucking jobs. Before you make the switch, get to know the benefits and drawbacks of local trucking, and decide whether it’s a good fit for you. The Pros1. Home TimeMany drivers are drawn to local truck driving jobs because of the home time. It’s for a good reason. Local jobs typically get drivers home every night. If not every night, drivers can expect to be home almost every night. For drivers with a family, that’s hard to beat. 2. Frequently Off on the WeekendsIn addition to being home every night, many local drivers are off on the weekends. This does depend on your company and what you’re hauling, but many local drivers have weekends off.
Attending social gatherings or events on the weekends becomes much more possible with a local truck driving jobs. 3. Health BenefitsIn addition to more home time, local truck drivers pick up some serious health benefits. Local drivers tend to spend less time behind the wheel than regional or OTR drivers. As a result, local drivers are less exposed to the safety risks of being on the road for long periods of time. They are also usually more active. Because local drivers make more stops, there are more opportunities to move around throughout the day. 4. A Set RoutineIf you like to have a fixed schedule, local trucking is for you. Drivers generally have a set hourly schedule that they can count on. That’s great for planning things outside of work. It also gives you a little extra peace of mind to know when you’ll be home and when you need to leave. 5. Excellent Work/Life BalanceWork/life balance is a huge consideration for local drivers. Local truck driving jobs are hard work, but they also help drivers be present for the day to day relationships at home. Local drivers still have to find a balance with their loved ones, but the rewards can be great. If you value being physically present for life’s little moments, local truck driving jobs are for you. The ConsThere’s a lot to love about local truck driving jobs. At the end of the day though, they’re just not for everyone. There are a few downsides to consider when you are deciding whether to become a local driver. 6. Lower PayOn average, local truck driving jobs pay less than the average OTR position. According to Ziprecruiter, local drivers in the United States earn an average of $51,355. Consider your personal budget and whether the finances work for you in the short and long term. For many drivers, the lower wage is worth the extra work/life balance, but pay is an important consideration. 7. Positions are CompetitiveLocal truck driving jobs are often extremely competitive. Trucking companies can afford to be choosy because they have a lot of interested candidates.
If you don’t get offered a position right away, keep getting more experience to help you stand out from other candidates. 8. Loading and UnloadingSome local truck driving jobs make frequent stops and require physical labor. This depends heavily on your company and type of haul. In some positions, drivers may need to load and/or unload their trucks. Think of it as a built-in weight lifting workout! This might be minor for some drivers, but if you are only interested in no-touch freight, read the job descriptions carefully. 9. Long HoursThe hours you work as a local driver depend heavily on your company. However, for many drivers, days last 10-14 hours. In addition, local drivers may start at any time of the day. For example, it’s not uncommon for a work shift to begin at 4:00 AM. The good news is, many companies offer overtime pay. Longer hours can help bring in a bigger paycheck. With such long days, some drivers find home time a challenge during the week. While local drivers are home every night, there may not be a lot of downtime between shifts. Some drivers feel like they finish work just in time to go home, eat dinner, sleep, and wake up to do it all again. Additional FactorsSome parts of local truck driving jobs aren’t exactly pros or cons. It all depends on your preferred work experience. Here are a few additional things to think about. Are you a People Person?Some local jobs require more customer interaction than regional or OTR positions. Others don’t ask drivers to interact with customers regularly. Also, local drivers tend to communicate very frequently with their coworkers and dispatchers. This can be a huge plus for some drivers and a downside for others. It’s really about personal preference. Decide for yourself whether you want more interaction with others. Then, seek out jobs that fit your preferences. City DrivingLike more regular communication, city driving isn’t necessarily a pro or a con. If you don’t mind spending more time in cities and towns, local driving is a good fit. If you strongly prefer to drive on highways as much as possible, consider whether the benefits of local truck driving jobs outweigh the downsides. Choosing Your CompanyYou’ve heard it a million times--good employees don’t leave bad jobs, they leave bad bosses. It’s true for local truck driving jobs too.
Each fleet traits drivers differently. Look for a fleet that matches your professional qualifications and your personal lifestyle preferences. Find a Local Truck Driving JobCreate a free driver profile with Drive My Way to receive job matches to local trucking jobs near you. The post 9 Pros and Cons of Local Truck Driving Jobs appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/39Jh0Ct |
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